Those of us in the animal advocacy community are daily besieged with news of terrible atrocities perpetrated against animals, both legal and illegal. Sometimes we feel that it is a bottomless pit, but here are a few signs that the future might be more hopeful... here are some important victories in 2008.

Let us all take heart in these hard-earned victories. May they serve to inspire us in the year ahead for more hard work and dedication, and more victories in alleviating animal suffering state-by-state and throughout the world.